Special Interests:

miRNAs are small regulatory RNAs that modulate gene expression by translational suppression and degradation of their target mRNAs. miRNA plays essential roles in development and diseases such as cancer, cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Specifically, we are interested in the roles of miRNAs in lung development and in pulmonary disorders such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Roles of miRNAs in Shh or Tgfb signaling pathways in early lung development

Both Shh (sonic hedgehog) and Tgfb pathways play critical roles in lung development. However, little is known about the role of miRNAs in these pathways. Our strategy is to profile miRNA expression in early developmental lung explants in which Shh or Tgfb signaling activities are selectively inhibited. Then, we will study the function of miRNAs whose expression levels are influenced by Shh or Tgfb activity using in vitro or in vivo approaches.

The function of Tnrc6 gene family members in mouse lung development

This gene family encodes three members of the trinucleotide repeat containing 6 proteins, including Tnrc6a (GW182), Tnrc6b and Tnrc6c. These proteins are associated with RNAs and Argonaute proteins in a cytoplasmic body called GW-body or P-body. In vitro assays have revealed their important roles in RNAi and miRNA induced gene silencing. Our objectives are to understand their roles in lung development in vivo using genetic approaches.

miR-129 in cell cycle regulation

It has been reported that miR-129 expression is down-regulated in tumor cell lines or primary tumors derived from neural, gastric or colorectal tissue. However, its role in cell proliferation is unknown. We have found over-expression of miR-129 arrests the growth of multiple tumor cell lines that originated from different organs. Currently, we are studying the mechanism of miR-129-mediated cell growth arrest. We are also interested in the role of miR-129 in lung development and in homeostasis of the adult lung in vivo.

miRNA in lung fibrosis

We will profile laser-captured samples from IPF or normal subjects to identify miRNAs significantly altered in specific features of IPF, such as fibrotic foci. We will study their roles in fibrosis using in vitro or in vivo approaches. We are also interested in the function of miRNAs downstream of the Tgfb pathway in lung fibrosis; such as the role of miR-29 in this disease process.